COLUMBIA, S.C. - It is always important to have something to play for, and CIU men's basketball had just that in their final regular-season game on Saturday. CIU took on Bluefield University in the regular-season finale with the sixth seed in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament on the line. CIU (18-11, 14-10 AAC) would want it just a bit more than Bluefield (16-12, 14-10 AAC) and secured a gutsy 78-75 win over the visiting team from Virginia. The win means that CIU will play the tenth seed Johnson (Tenn.) in the AAC Opening Round on Monday. 

CIU jumped out all over Bluefield in the first half, going up 23-7 in the game's first seven minutes on a Darrian Oates 3-pointer. Bluefield slowly chipped away at the Rams lead, finally cutting the advantage all the way down to 36-32 at halftime. Darrian Oates led all-scorers at the break with 13 points as the Rams held Bluefield star Jeremiah Jenkins to just five points in the first half. 

CIU led by double-digits multiple times in the second half, but Bluefield would hang around. Finally, Bluefield took their first lead of the game on a pair of free throws, 75-74, with 32 seconds remaining. However, Jalen Brinson forced a foul on Jenkins on the other end and calmly knocked down two free throws of his own. CIU would get a stop on Bluefield's ensuing possession and close out the game 78-75. 

Darrian Oates was once again nearly unguardable on offense going 12-of-19 for 26 points while sharing the ball with five assists. 

Jalen Brinson was perfect from the line and from deep, going 6-of-6 from the charity stripe and 2-of-2 from 3-point range on his way to 16 points and seven assists. 

DiAnthony Heathcock was one rebound shy from a double-double with nine boards and 12 points. 

It was also Senior Day in the Moore Fitness Center, and senior Thomas Woods made most of the afternoon with nine points as he went 2-of-3 from deep. 

CIU continues to shoot well from the field as a team as the Rams recorded a 48% field goal percentage versus Bluefield.

What Coach Stockman is saying:

"Always hard playing on Senior Day and after an emotional win in our last game. Proud of the guys who were able to make the plays at the end to win the game. I am especially pleased with how well we shot from the line down to the stretch." 

Up next:

CIU will host Johnson University (Tenn.) in the opening round of the AAC Tournament on Monday, Feb. 21, at 7 PM.